Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-03-10

hia fork held high in the air.
Reverend Mr. Cuttloton smiled for.
bcaringly. the old lawyer laughed and
got up and walked away, and Absa-
lom, at the evident hazard Of breaking
into run, crossed.the room to the as
sistancc Of Ether, and Julius, adjust
ing his glasses, and allaying the porcu-
pine state of his mustache, looked
around for new worlds to conquer.
Refreshments then having been dis
patched the tables were removed, and
up in the dancing room, 10 the music
Of two violins and cornet, and In the
parlors 10 the music of the piano and
another cornet, and in the sitting-room
and dining-room TO the music Of the
organ and still another cornct, which
: to be truthful was slightly distructing,
the young people fell 10 waltzing
Many, too, upon whom the years had
fallen quite thickly, among them tho
springy Julius, felt those weights
but little more than feathers, and
abardoned themselves to the tempting
delirium Of the hour. Joel. securing a
slender slip Of womanhood, spun the
slender slip and lns own ponderous
anatomy with great youthfulness
through the intoxicating maze.
Harry was the finest waltzcr present
by far. Evidently he had had much
schooling in thai direction while away
to college. He longed to join his grace
to that Of the Indian-fOotcd Maun; but
Maun did not waltz, neither did John
Earling, but the moist-mouthcd leslit
was well-nigh rs fluent with her feet rs
with that member between her teeth,
upon which language in its velocity
was not only reduced to very thin
fluid but often dissolved into sort of
labial spray, and he waltzed great
deal with her. Besides, there were
scores of Openstonc girls, and indeed
several Opcnstone mothers, who were
not adverse 20 adding their charms to
the elegancics Of Jocrs accomplished
son. Bat Yoslit continued to keep tho
prize well in hand; spinning n soft and
pleasant webb about him with lulling.
continuous buzz, aud ever and anon
shooting little restraining thread
across in front of him when he made n
movement to escape. then releasing
him and capturing him again at pleas
urc. Mrs. Whitney obviously was not
pleased. for there were many richer
girls present, but Ycslit obviously re-
maincd in possession of the field, and
Salvo Popp. from his corner, from
under the load Of his sloping shoulders
and looking out from his ghastly
display of cuffs and collar, thought
his sister marvelously clever.
After the waltz had partly spent It.
self. the old lawyer came 20 John Earl
ing, at whose side Maun had remained
throughout the evening, and claimed
his daughters company home. The
young man courteousiy asked that
pleasure for himself. but his old en-
ployer put him or with n jealous,
good-naturcd growl, and led her away.
Then, having felt the physical fascina-
ton Of contact with Maun broken into
but once by the singing Of Celeste, and
after that little troubled by tho
presence of that quiet white figure in
another room, now that the spell had
lapsed little he started to lind the
sweet-voiced stranger. Yet he found
that he could not 90 to her after what
had happened; it would not be just to
Maun. IL he clasped any other hand
than Ccleste's IL mattered little. but to
her he felt there would be something
of sacrilege and to Mann something
OF untruth. For there was
|
understanding, sympathy, or knowl-
edge, between him and Celeste
Bright, though they had never looked
into each others eyes but once. that
had never gone out. Perhaps it was
entirely in his own heart, though. and
not reaching to hers; memory only Of
her voice now suddenly renewed. lie
went out upon the veranda debating IL
he should not go to his lodging, but he
could not be discourteous 10 his friends,
Judge and Mrs. Bower, nor to Cc-
lcste, and he started in and met Mrs.
Bower coming to find him. Judge
Bower and others were busy at a game
Of whist in the large front room over
the parlor. and Celeste. looking a little
white and tired, was lying back in an
easy chair watching them, when Mrs.
Bower led John Earling to her. See
leste, this is Mr.. Earring; Mr.. Earlng,
you remember our little Celcsto?" she
said.
The girl got up. supporting herself
slightly by the chair. and her face liz
up with smile and her big. clear eyes
looked warm and luminous as she took
his hand. "You did not come back TO
talk again as told you to'' were her
first laughing. melodious words. John
Earnings cheeks cOlorcd. "But / have
the tea-roses yeti" he said, and Mrs
Bower broke out laughing at so queer
a resumption Of a long-broken and
scarcely begun acquaintance. Celcste's
cheeks, too, turned pink with his re-
mark, and they all sat down and fell
to talking Of general things, but the
clear eyes of the young people, meet
ing. would lingcr little and slip
down consciously Mrs. Bower in a
short time, however, asked her hus-
band 10 get the carriage 10 the door rs
il was growing late, and turning 10
John Earring she invited him to come
aud take tea with them soon. and tax
ing Celcste's arm they bowed good
night and went away to got their
wrappings.
AS they went out John Earring
watched the limping. slender girl with
a sinking throb at his heart. A kind
OF sympathetic shame mantled his
face. as he thought OF the free and will
lowy sweep Of Maun's carriage. and
the pleasure hc had taken in it. Nay,
was Il not the one exquisite grace that
had led him 10 her? In a moment,
/ with vision Of this lame and lovely
girl, the narrow compass Of his pas
sion flashed before him. lie got up
and went away toward his lodgings,
forgetful that he should have thanked
and taken leave Of those whose hospi-
tality he had enjoyed. But his heart
was troubled; he could not straighten
the sweet and tangled currents Of his
feelings lie felt dimly that Maun did
not satisfy him; that beneath the
physical exhi'aration which her pres
ence brought him there burned a soft
hunger which she could not fll. lie
thought Of Celeste, AMI tried 10 test